INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT - QBD 3

Disaster Management Module

1 year / 2nd Semester / 2019 / FMUI 2019
st

Shuffa Chilla Mayhana

1906421921 – Group D

Effects of Disaster on Victims and Volunteers

The Ethical Dilemma of Volunteers in Disaster Management

Introduction

No or little warning is given to communities stroked by disaster. The lives of

individuals, families, as well as communities are affected in every way possible. All is
lost: their health, hygiene, jobs, the roof above their head, and even the smile on
the faces of their loved ones. Thus, the involvement of the correct professionals as
well as an effective implementation of mitigation plan is essential to alleviate the
trauma and recover.1

Topic Discussion

1. Ethical Dilemma of Volunteers in Disaster Management

When the world needs a helping hand, that’s when the dependability of social
workers is put into test. Such help is usually given by a range of governmental as
well as non-profitable organizations. The involvement of volunteers should focus
in minimizing risks, maximizing resources, and expedite administrative process
for vulnerable populations. However, there are moral and ethical standpoints that
need to be taken into consideration when lending a helping hand. One that often
times challenge volunteers in drawing a distinction between personal and social
values. Hence, a clear and applicable guidance in disaster relief plans is needed
to anticipate social workers who may face any abnormal disaster conditions
during their duty. 1-3

Moral citizenship is defined as the responsibility to conduct righteous actions

by social workers as a member of the community. In other words, Manning
connected social citizenship with how social workers use their cognitive and
emotional intellectuality to enact on behalf of social purposes. This value is
implemented in times of disaster where social workers help those in need by
negotiating with governmental as well as non-profit entities to protect the rights
and privileges of vulnerable ones and gather resources. Moreover, many social
workers may also choose to directly jump into the area of trauma instead.
Studies have found that the amount of training preparation of emergency
responders tightly correlates with the quality of service given to disaster victims.
Correlating to the value of non-maleficence, social workers assigned to the job
might sometimes feel underqualified and stand back because they are afraid to
dissatisfy survivors. Thus, delaying the provision of emergency responders in
crucial times. Some professionals who may already put themselves in disaster
zones might also be pushed to work out of their scope of capabilities and put
victims at risk because there are limited emergency responders in the field. 1-3

The ethical principle of distributive justice states that even under

conflicting situations, actions undertaken must be one which results in the
greater good. Setting ethical priorities is oftentimes challenging in disaster
conditions where urgent decisions need to be made under narrow time
constraints. To put into perspective, social workers are often faced with the
dilemma when helping traumatized citizen; Between the old and the young,
between the severely injured and one with a sprained ankle. In such conditions,
it is in any volunteer’s best interest to try their best to help them both. But some
situations make it impossible for them to do so.1-3
 The same principle may also apply in resources distribution. Any living
individual should have the autonomy to make their own life choices, such as
what to eat, the medication they take. Meanwhile in disaster situations, social
workers are faced with the dilemma between satisfying human needs rather than
wants. Victim’s input will be put in minimal considerations and have to live with
the limitation of resources available. 1-3

By upholding the ethical principle of beneficence, volunteers are obliged to

improve the well-being of others. This might arise as an interpersonal conflict in
cases of a pandemic where healthcare providers have to risk their lives in order
to save another’s.1-3

Possible solutions to these ethical issues include ethics training as well as

creating ethics consultation mechanisms where open communication is
encouraged between the government or non-profit organizations providing the
help and the helpers in the field. 2

Conclusion

Disasters, may it be natural or man-made, equally serve as a hazard to

humankind. Emergency responders are always told to be highly aware of the ethical
implications of their duty, but even moral principles trigger second thoughts as they
are not always applicable in extreme conditions. Ethical challenges may arise
throughout emergency management involving aspects such as decision making, and
resource allocation. In conclusion, disaster response guidelines with concrete and
easily applicable solutions need to be constructed so that emergency responders
would have a clear action plan to help traumatized communities to cope and recover
from the damages created by a disaster. Moreover, this guideline will help helpers
when facing unresolved ethical dilemmas to provide a solution on the best way to
proceed. 4-5
References

1. Soliman HH, Rogge ME. Ethical considerations in disaster services: a social

work perspective. E J of Soc Work. 2002 Feb 15;1(1).
2. Unknown. Health emergency and disaster risk management ethics. Geneva:
World Health Organization. 2017 Dec.
3. Roth F, Prior T. Volunteerism in disaster management: opportunities,
challenges, and instruments for improvement. Zurich: Risk and Resilience
Team of Center for Security Studies. 2019 Jul.
4. Unknown. Ethics in epidemics, emergencies and disasters: research,
surveillance, and patient care. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2017.
5. Unknown. Introduction to international disaster management. Albany: State
University of New York Press. 2016.